Optometrist salary in Columbus, OH
Optometrists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $133,370 a year ($64.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,980 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $134,850. There are 0.24 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $147,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,350 | $32.38 |
| 25th percentile | $117,740 | $56.61 |
| Median | $133,370 | $64.12 |
| 75th percentile | $165,990 | $79.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $211,980 | $101.92 |
| Average (mean) | $147,250 | $70.79 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,114.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,557.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,129.62 |
| Weekly | $2,564.81 |
| Hourly | $64.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $156,990 | 300 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $139,000 | 70 |
| Cleveland, OH | $135,880 | 250 |
| Akron, OH | $131,210 | 70 |
| Toledo, OH | $130,640 | 60 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $127,190 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $103,670 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,900 | $40.34 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,760 | $103.25 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,580 | $59.89 |
| Pharmacist | $133,960 | $64.40 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,130 | $50.54 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,880 | $46.58 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,460 | $46.38 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,860 | $39.36 |
| Physician Assistant | $137,550 | $66.13 |
| Veterinarian | $123,270 | $59.26 |
| Dentists, General | $166,180 | $79.89 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,200 | $34.23 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $179,810 | $86.45 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Columbus, OH?
The median salary for optometrists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $133,370 a year, or $64.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $211,980 a year. The top 25% earn $165,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,350 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $117,740 or less.
How many optometrists work in Columbus, OH?
About 260 optometrists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.